Review: Cesar Grata Corojo

At the 2015 IPCPR in New Orleans we had the pleasure of sitting down with Cesar Espinal to talk about all the cigar projects he has on the go. Building on the successful release of the Cesar Habano, the Cesar Grata is new for 2015.

The Cesar Grata is available in two different wrappers, but otherwise the same blend. The Corojo or a Mexican San Andres. Initial production is in three different vitolas; Corona (6x44), Robusto (5x52), and Corona Doble (7x50).

Check out our interview with Cesar Espinal at IPCPR 2015 in New Orleans:

Vitola: Corona Doble

Size: 7” x 50 Ring Gauge

Wrapper: Dominican Corojo

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican

Cigars Smoked for this Review: One each

Price Point: $8.50 MSRP

Cigar Purchased: Manufacturer’s sample

Quick Note: For this review we used Logan’s rating system. You can view it in detailhere.

Surgeon’s Rating: 91 AKA “Box Split”

The nose on the Grata Corojo is spices and leather on the wrapper. On the foot I’m picking up more complex spices with nutmeg.

I found the draw tight on a single v-cut and perfect with an x-cut.

My initial taste impressions are cedar and leather with complex spice combinations on the retrohale. As the first third settles in the spices start to linger between draws at a medium plus level and I would describe them as elegant and rich. At the twenty minute mark the spice intensity falls back to a medium level, but still quite rich and structured.

The flavor profile doesn’t undergo much change transitioning into the middle third. Some rich sweetness does start to evolve, offsetting the spices nicely. The tobacco strength is starting to hit home at this point at a medium-full level. As the middle third settles in some nuttiness, cedar and creamy sweetness. As the middle third winds down there’s some light plus chocolate that comes through.

In the final third the Cesar Grata adds some vegetal and floral flavors into the mix. When the final third starts to establish itself there’s some smoky barbeque that pushes through.

Total smoking time is approximately 1 hour 57 minutes.

The Cesar Grata Corojo is a rich, complex and satisfying smoking experience. This makes me want to immediately go out and get my hands on the Cesar Grata Mexican San Andres.

This is a cigar you’re going to want to get your hands on.

Surgeon’s Pairing Recommendation:

You’ve got a lot of flavors here to pair with, but my instinct is to reach for the colas, rums or even a rich ale.